If you are planning a trip to Essex and like real ale, where better to stay than in one of the many CAMRA pubs which offer a room for the night too? Here are all the ones in Essex that we could find. Remember, CAMRA rates the quality of beer, not the quality of sheets…

What makes a great family pub? Good food, with a reasonably priced children’s menu and facilities to keep the kids entertained. That is about all really. We have seen fewer play areas in recent years, and some pubs have stopped allowing children in completely due to escalating insurance costs. But there are still many excellent family pubs…

Located in the picturesque Village of Writtle, situated on the idyllic; Writtle Green. The Rose & Crown is a traditional public House & Restaurant and has been since 1642, it oozes character and charm and offers a warm welcome to everyone. The Rose & Crown 57 The Green Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3DT Call 01245 420…

The Axe and Compasses in Aythorpe Roding won the Essex Food and Drink Award for best pub restaurant in 2012. They can certainly be considered a gastropub. They are open from 9am for breakfast. They also keep a selection of excellent beers on tap for real ale fans. Note: Not to be confused with the Axe and Compasses…

The Axe and Compasses in Arkesden has one of the best pub restaurants in Essex. It was a finalist in the Essex Food and Drink Awards 2012, and winner of Best Food Pub in 2007. The Good Pub Guide describes it as Comfortably traditional pub with Greene King beers and decent food. Not to be…

Le Talbooth (01206 323150) is in the heart of “Constable Country” in Dedham near Colchester. It is a family run country house with an award winning restaurant. In 2012 La Talbooth’s chef, Aaron Skerritt, won Chef of the Year in the Essex Food and Drink Awards.

Square 1 in Great Dunmow serves classic British and French food. It is within a listed building on the High Street. The chef sources many ingredients from local produces and many meals contain organic ingredients. In 2012 Spencer Hewitt was Highly Commended in the Essex Food and Drink Awards.

The White Hart Inn in Margaretting Tye is possibly the best family pub in Essex. It is a large pub / restaurant with a very well equipped family garden. The food is good and the real ales often more than acceptable, with Adnams, Mighty Oak and Red Fox often on tap. While the pub is large there…

If you have never tasted Nepalese food before then you really should pay a visit to Everest Gurkha in Chelmsford. There are few opportunities to try Nepalese in the UK, and this is certainly one of the best.

The old Bull On The Green in Chingford is being transformed into a new Prezzo restaurant. The new restaurant is set to open on 12th December, ready for Christmas and New Year if everything goes to plan.

Scooby Snax Fish and Chips on Church Road in Brightlingsea, Colchester, is the latest UK company to find itself threatened with legal action by an American film company if it does not change its name. Hanna Barbera claim the rights to the name and have ordered them to cease trading immediately.

There are many Pizza Express restaurants across Essex where you can find great pizzas as well as other Italian dishes. One of the best things about Pizza Express is that you do not need to book. Great for an impromptu meal while in town. Food and service is always good and the thin pizzas are much healthier (less calories) than those thick crust ones!

Great Baddow now has its own Tandoori restaurant. Last week the Baddow Tandoori opened. It is on Church Street and occupies the building which was previously home to La Vista and Gerrado’s before that. Book Now: Tel: 01245 478884 / 471100

Giraffe opened in Chelmsford this week, just in time for the Christmas parties. Giraffe restaurants offer a laid back dining experience with freshly cooked food to suit all tastes and served to the sound of great music.

They do breakfasts, have great lunch deals and their kids menus are healthy and exciting too.